But soon the calm was broken, and the sound The holy rite is o'er; the blessed sign Is given to cheer us in this earthly strife; The bitter cup of wrath before him lies; They cheer the way with song. We ne'er can know such sorrow as that night Pierced to the heart the suffering Son of God; And every earthly sadness is but light To that dark path he trod! And yet how faint and feeble rise our songs; Oh for an echo of that chant of praise; Touch thou our wayward hearts, and let them be 1863. R. H. BAYNES. And blest is he whose loins are girt, whose lamp is burning bright; But woe to that dull servant whom the Master shall surprise With lamp untrimmed, unburning, and with slumber. in his eyes! Do thou, my soul, beware, beware, lest thou in sleep sink down, Lest thou be given o'er to death and lose the golden crown; But see that thou be sober, with watchful eyes, and thus Cry, "Holy, holy, holy God, have mercy upon us!" That day, the day of fear, shall come: my soul, slack not thy toil, But light thy lamp, and feed it well, and make it bright with oil; Who knowest not how soon may sound the cry at eventide, "Behold, the Bridegroom comes! Arise! go forth to meet the Bride.” Beware, my soul! beware, beware, lest thou in slumber lie, And, like the five, remain without, and knock, and vainly cry; But watch, and bear thy lamp undimmed, and Christ shall gird thee on His own bright wedding robe of light, the glory of the Son. TRANS. BY G. MOULTRIE. THE DAWNING. AH! what time wilt thou come? when shall that cry, "The Bridegroom's coming!" fill the sky? Shall it in the evening run, When our works and words are done? Or will thy all-surprising light Break at midnight, When either sleep or some dark pleasure Or shall these early, fragrant hours. And with their blush of light descry That with thy glory doth best chime: All now are stirring; every field The whole creation shakes off night, Oh, at what time soever, thou 1654. Unknown to us, the heavens wilt bow, Where, if a traveller water crave, In thy free services engage; And though, while here, of force I must So when that day and hour shall come, HENRY VAUGHAN, ΤΟ GOD COMES! AND WHO SHALL STAND (Ο Κύριος έρχεται.) OD comes! and who shall stand before his fear? GOD Who bide his presence, when he draweth near? To kneel before him there! Haste! weep! be reconciled to him before All bare and naked lies. Have mercy, Lord! have mercy, Lord! I cry, When with thine angels thou appear'st on high; And each shall doom inherit, According to his merit. How can I bear thy fearful anger, Lord? And spare me in that day! O miserable soul, return, lament, Ere earthly converse end, and life be spent. The Bridegroom close the door! Yea, I have sinned, as no man sinned beside: Before that Day appear! |